Griggs courier., 1887-11-11

RUSSIAN pEsPorisML
An Americas To1rsst.s nprssslous of the !
CsArss 0ovafnMent
Il can not be denied that In some re-
spects Russia is the greatest and most
powerful nation in the world. its ter
ritory and its population being greater
than that Of any other on the globe. It
occupies more than one-half the area
Of Europe, and its vast possessions in,
Asia are three times greater than in
Europe. Il 10 .. gigantic wonder
among nations with its 1000. 900 Of
square miles Of territory. it's 100. co.,.
600 of inhabitants and its grand army
of 5000. 600 men. But about and
around all this glory and greatness
hangs rather the barbafic splendor Of
the Oriental than the culture and prog
ress Of the European. The whole
country 10 IN armed camp. and at
every step and every turn is soldier
In his long gray coat and broad
crowned cap and in this connection it
may be mentioned that the cap is the
usual head, covering in Russia, and
hats arc seldom seen. Travelling in
Russia has many unpleasant features,
and one has the feeling, always, that
he Is not wanted and that he is con-
stantly being watched In all his move
ments, and the chances strongly are.
that he is right in both these supposi.
tions. The Government is very strict
in all It's dealings with foreigners,
and no one is admitted to the
country without passport which has
been vised by some Russian Consul.
And whenever the traveller arrives In
any city or stopping place his passport
must be Immediately surrendered to
the authorities. It is not returned un-
til his departure, and he is not allowed
to leave the country without permit
written ON the back Of his passport.
Mine was taken from me 90 frequently.
examined and duly stamped, and fee
always charged for 1t. that I regard it
as about the most expensive document
evor possessed. You never know in
Russia likewise who reads your letters
before you get them or after you mail
them, and no foreign newspapers are
delivered until after the authorities
have read them and blotted out the
Objectionable passages with heavy
Ilack ink so that they can not be read.
There is no liberty Of speech or free
ON Of action. The Gear is absolute,
and tyranny and oppression reign
everywhere. In such a country it is
not strange that Nihilism fourishes,
and If there is any excuse for the Mill
list anywhere, it is here in Russia, and
I can we'll comprehend that q man
might be Nihilist here. who in any
other country would be constitutional
agitator and advocate. The policy oi
the Government practically prohibits
any battle-ground, and drives many
men finally into Nihilism. who
would otherwise be patriots, working
out the salvation Of their country by
peaceable methods. Scarcely any one
IN Russia speaks English, and the En-
gishman is viewed with great dis
favor, all realizing that it is only q
question Of a few years when the two
countries will be at war with each
other. I always took especial pains
to let it be known that I was an Amer
ican. and not an Englishman; French
is spoken almost entirely in the houses
Of the aristocracy, and is usually the
language Of the home among them,
rather than the harsh and irregular
Russian, but the masses are more
familiar with German than any other
foreign language. a natural result of
the proximity Of the two countries.
As Russia is different in every thing,
so her coinage and measures Of dis
tances do not correspond with those
of other European governments. Dis
tances are measured by 'versts',,
(two-thirds of mile), and ''arshins''
(twenty inches), and the coinage is
divided into troubles and 'ko-
pecks." The kopeck is about one
half cent Of our money, while the
present paper rouble equals fifty
cents The silver rouble is worth
moro, but coin is practically driven
out Of circulation now, as the country
is in . terrible financial condition. and
is suffering all the evils of badly-de-
preciatod and inflated paper currency.
Cor. indianapolis Sentinel
Expansion Of. Bridges.
! A. good deal had been said about the